Early on, right after the property was purchased, I met with a potential builder. He walked the lot with me, answering questions about siting the house, clearing the lot etc. I happened to mention the plan was to live in the Shimmy Shack during construction. He basically implied he wouldn't take a job when the client lived there. Once the project got going - because I lived on site - it was apparent when work started and stopped, who was there (or wasn't), and how far things progressed. I no longer wonder why in my landscaping business, I've run into so many off island clients over the years who seemed suspicious of local contractors...
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There were a couple of comments asking for details - one was about costs outside of the mortgage. Here's that breakdown:
Plans - $1800
Surveying - $2000
Lot clearing - $1200 (not including my labor)
Stump pulling + grading - $2400 (not including my labor)
Permits/inspections - $1000
Water impact (county water) - $3000
Running 350' water line - $300 (not including my labor)
Electric pole - $200
The other question was about pilings and elevation. Two years ago hurricane Matthew brought flood waters of +/- 9'. My property is 7.5' above sea level. It had never flooded here since anyone could remember - one of the main reasons I bought the property. I raised the first floor 10' above the ground - so 17.5' above sea level. There are codes regarding elevation, as well as requirements from the bank, and better deals on insurance the higher up your first floor is. I wanted to be able to use the space under the house for parking and storage, and figured 10' would allow me to eventually close in a little shop once some time has passed.
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| First floor pano |
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| View from the future kitchen (!) |
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| Raising the walls |
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| It's crazy - all that held those walls up for weeks were a few 2x4s... |
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| ...and some wall jacks |
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| Laundry room with a view ❤️ |
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| First floor walled in |
Building a home is not for the faint of heart! I bet your views are amazing
ReplyDeleteIt makes me happy every time I look out of the windows :D
DeleteSo interesting!! I only ask this because I work with the elderly all day so things like this are on my mind - with it being 10' up to the first floor will you have a ramp or anything to help with access in case you were on crutches, wheelchair or otherwise incapacitated? Again, pure curiosity since I've never been in a house raised up above the ground like that.
ReplyDeleteNope - just stairs. But then, I took care of my horse with a broken arm for 12 weeks. You do what you gotta do!
DeleteIt's so cool to see it all coming together! You're going to have so many amazing views.
ReplyDeleteTrees and sky and birds from the upstairs... :D
DeleteIt's fun to watch the house taking shape. I grew up on Long Island (N.Y.) and there were always people building houses on the ocean. When the storms came they always got flooded or washed out and they just kept rebuilding only to get washed out again. It looks like you've thought ahead and got it all covered building on pilings. You must have beautiful views too! Can't wait to see the rest of it come together.
ReplyDeleteThe first builder...a little disreputable maybe?
Most everything newly built is raised up on pilings now. Folks that have family homes they've inherited have been applying for Fema grants to get existing structures raised. Back in the day flooding was a few and far between issue, and lots of old houses had holes in the floor where you could just sweep the water back out.
Deletehm that's kiiiiiiiinda sketchy that the one builder guy didn't want to take the job knowing there'd be so much oversight with someone living on site...
ReplyDeleteWell - my friend who lost her house in hurricane Matthew two years ago hired this builder to do her new house. He's been at it for two years and she still hasn't been able to move in. She has three children whom she's had to move four times while waiting for her place to be finished. I believe he's also raised the price - a lot. Crazy...
DeleteThis is si cool! Enjoying watching the process unfold.
ReplyDeleteSO happy to be putting the story down in the blog while it's fresh in my mind. I still kind of can't believe it's real...
DeleteDoes building the house a flight up like that make it more difficult? Or are contractors in your area used to that?
ReplyDeleteI think most new construction on the island is built on pilings anymore. Sadly we've been having major flooding issues for the last fifteen years.
DeleteWow! So cool to see the process here. I know you must be over the moon to be in the house and enjoying the fruits of all this labor.
ReplyDeleteHeat, loads of hot water and zero leaks. The ambient stress level has lowered considerably. :D
DeleteI saw your new house on your holiday card and thought holy smokes! What a house!
ReplyDeleteIt is really cool to see the construction process in these posts. I am so glad that you vetted that first contractor...
Harley and the family are well. Three kids now! Haha. Harley will be 21 in March.
Whoa - three little ones - you must be insanely busy!! Val turns 17 next week. Please give sweet Harley some smooches from me.❤️
Delete😎
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